Towanda High School Senior Builds Dog House for BCHS

Photo: Chyenne Ackley and BCHS Dog Perro

Chyenne Ackley, a senior at Towanda High School, decided to help out the Bradford County Humane Society by building a dog house for their shelter dogs. As a high school senior, she had to do a Senior Project. This portion of her project was to fulfill her community service hours.

Using her own money, Ackley purchased all materials needed to construct the dog house. For two months Chyenne worked at putting it all together.

"This is truly phenomenal that Chyenne not only chose us for her community service hours, but that she constructed such a beautiful dog house. It is so well constructed. We will use it in our back exercise yard for our shelter dogs," stated Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director.

If you are interested in helping out your local Bradford County Humane Society, contact Jennifer at 570-888-2114.

The Bradford County Humane Society is a United Way Agency.

Stellabration Supports BCHS

Photo: Kathy Hollingsead, Baby Peyton, and Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director

When the Hollingsead family adopted Stella, a blue tick coon hound puppy, in the Spring of 2008 there was no way for them to know what an impact this young pup would have on dogs and cats all over the county.

A few weeks after the Hollingseads adopted Stella, her young and angelic life was suddenly cut short. This loss left the family heartbroken and devastated. Anyone who has experienced this kind of loss understands the pain and sorrow associated with the passing of a beloved family pet. Unlike many dogs, this was not the end of young Stella’s legacy.

One year after the loss of Stella, the Hollingseads hosted a “Stellabration”. Family, friends, and well-wishers were invited to celebrate the short life of little Stella. People were asked to bring in donations or a loving gift for one of the homeless animals at the Bradford County Humane Society. The Hollingseads served food in dog and cat dishes, they served numerous hot dogs, “Stella” beer, and an amazing cat litter cake topped with cookie crumbs and tootsie rolls. The cake was placed in a litter pan and served with a cat litter-scooper.

The Stellabration continues to grow bigger every year as family and friends come out to support and honor Stella’s tragically short life. The 5th annual Stellabration was held in April and truly displayed everyone’s compassion for their companions as they received a remarkable amount of support. The Stellabration raised over $1,100 to help needy animals from all over the county. Participants also donated hundreds of pounds of pet food, cat litter, and several other boxes packed full of canned food, cleaning supplies, assorted toys and blankets.

On behalf of the Bradford County Humane Society, we would like to extend a special thank you to the Hollingsead family and everyone who attended this year’s remembrance.

Congressman Marino Tours Bradford County Humane Society

On Wednesday, May 1st, Congressman Tom Marino visited the Bradford County Humane Society to tour the facility and honor them for their dedication to saving lives of shelter animals.

















Congressman Marino toured the dog kennels and the adoptable cat rooms. He was impressed with the free roaming cat room where the cats are allowed to freely be amongst other spayed and neutered cats. “My wife and I have cats at home and I love them,” stated Marino. He added that he is looking for a dog. A black lab mix puppy up for adoption at BCHS caught his eye.



BCHS has recently begun a spay neuter initiative with Dr. Michelle Kaleta and the ACS Community Clinic. Jennifer L. Spencer, BCHS Executive Director, met with the Bradford County Commissioners in October of 2012 to explain the importance of spaying and neutering feral cats in the area. Since October the Community Clinic has altered over 700 feral cats and owner cats. BCHS has already seen an impact from this. “Last year at this time we were inundated with feral cats. Now we have open cages. The public needs to understand that spaying and neutering animals is the only way to reduce the pet overpopulation,” stated Spencer.

Spencer and Marino sat down to discuss various issues that impact animal shelters in Pennsylvania. Spencer explained the need for tighter laws in regards to animal cruelty. Last year BCHS received over 350 calls concerning possible animal cruelty. Humane Officer Hawbaker took nine cases to court and won each case. “The problem is that the person(s) convicted of animal cruelty do not receive harsh enough penalties. In some cases the convicted will merely receive probation and have to pay restitution,” states Spencer. Marino agreed and stated they are working on getting animal cruelty laws changed.

Another issue that was discussed was the absence of an anti-tethering law in Pennsylvania. H.B. 826/S.B. 972, a bill that has been introduced to Pennsylvania Legislature would limit the amount of time a dog can be tied outside. It would prohibit tethering a dog between 10 PM to 6 AM. “This is not a sufficient bill. There really needs to be a complete anti-tethering law,” states Spencer. “Many phone calls come in during the winter involving dogs tied up outside in the harsh elements. These animals may never get off their chain, living out their entire lives that way,” added Spencer.

Congressman Marino presented BCHS with a plaque honoring BCHS for their efforts to save the lives of shelter animals in his district as well as for receiving a $31,500 grant from the ASPCA to purchase a new transport vehicle to carry out their life-saving work more efficiently. This grant will allow BCHS to acquire a new animal transport van, which the organization will use to investigate animal cruelty cases, and transport animals to the Community Clinic for spaying and neutering.

The ASPCA is a key player in animal welfare philanthropy, and has provided funds for animal welfare programs in every state. Over the past five years, the ASPCA has distributed nearly $55 million in grants to shelters and rescues across the country. “I am proud to congratulate the Bradford County Humane Society for their commitment to protecting animals,” stated Marino.

The Bradford County Humane Society would like to thank Congressman Tom Marino for taking time to visit the shelter and learn more about what issues local animal shelters face.

BCHS is a United Way Agency

BCHS Participates in Healthy Kids Day

The Towanda YMCA holds a Healthy Kids Day every year, and the Bradford County Humane Society has participated each time. This year, on Saturday, April 27th an adoptable dog name Dietrick was in attendance. Kids from all over Bradford County came and visited Dietrick.

Megan Snell, BCHS Community Outreach Coordinator states, "It's always fun to listen to the kids' stories of their pets at home. It was an enjoyable day."

Photos - Elijah Saylor and Dietrick, Brayden and Torrah Dughi and Dietrick

BCHS offers many informational materials promoting the humane care of animals that are age appropriate for children. "A Day in the Life of a Shelter Animal" presentations are also conducted at various schools to teach children the importance of caring for pets and how animals need special care and attention.

Dietrick is still available for adoption at BCHS. He is a young neutered male Terrier and Sharpei mix up to date on all his shots. He loves people and is waiting to find his forever home

BCHS is a United Way Agency.